A weekly insulin injection for adults with type 2 diabetes has been approved for use in the NHS in England and Wales by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The insulin injection – called efsitora alfa (brand name Onswik) – is a once-weekly basal (or background) insulin. It works in a similar way to other basal insulins. The NICE recommendation says that insulin efsitora alfa may particularly benefit people who need help to take their insulin or additional support to follow their treatment plan, for example, if they:
- are frail
- have a learning disability
- have problems with manual dexterity, or
- have a visual, cognitive or sensory impairment.
NICE said it would also be an option for people who find it difficult to take insulin daily, for example, if they have developed type 2 diabetes at a young age and are juggling work or other responsibilities.
Milestone
Weekly insulin injections are a milestone in insulin treatment. In research trials, the weekly insulin injection was shown to provide blood glucose management comparable to once daily insulins.
Announcing their recommendations NICE said that hundreds of thousands of adults with type 2 diabetes could now potentially swap daily injections for a once-a-week injection. It also has the potential to benefit the carers of people with diabetes or – healthcare professionals who support them – as it will reduce the number of injections needed and therefore the time and cost of doing so.
"This recommendation is the result of rigorous, evidence-based decision making, striking a balance between the benefits to patients and the best use of limited NHS funding."
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE
Injecting insulin with a pen and needle can be fiddly and also painful. For some people it can cause bruising or lumps. It is estimated that having a weekly insulin injection could cut the number of injections each patient needs by 85%.
Insulin efsitora alfa should now be made available to people who could benefit from this treatment option from later this year in Wales and early next year in England. If you live with diabetes and have questions about the weekly injection, do speak to your healthcare professional. You can also contact our helpline on 0345 123 2399.
